What
Is a Standard Drink?

A
standard drink is any drink that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol (about
0.6 fluid ounces or 1.2 tablespoons). Below are standard drink equivalents as
well as the number of standard drinks in different container sizes for each beverage.
These are approximate, as different brands and types of beverages vary in their
actual alcohol content.

STANDARD DRINK
EQUIVALENTS

APPROXIMATE
NUMBER OF
STANDARD DRINKS IN:

BEER
or COOLER

12
oz.
~5% alcohol

12
oz. = 1

16 oz. = 1.3

22 oz. = 2

40 oz. = 3.3

MALT
LIQUOR

8-9
oz.
~7% alcohol

12 oz. = 1.5

16 oz. = 2

22 oz. =
2.5

40 oz. = 4.5

TABLE
WINE

5
oz.
~12% alcohol

a 750 mL (25 oz.) bottle =
5

80-proof
SPIRITS (hard liquor)

1.5
oz.
~40% alcohol

a
mixed drink = 1 or more*

a
pint (16 oz.) = 11

a
fifth (25 oz.) = 17

1.75
L (59 oz.) = 39

*Note:
Depending on factors such as the type of spirits and the recipe, one mixed drink
can contain from one to three or more standard drinks.